Physics of Planetary Rings: Celestial Mechanics of Continuous Media (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)

**Physics of Planetary****Rings** describes striking structures in the planetary rings of Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter and Neptune. In Saturn, the rings are stratified into thousands of ringlets united in a complex hierarchical structure with spiral waves and gaps; in Uranus, they are compressed into narrow streams; and in Neptune, one observes a chain of clumps. This abundance of dynamical structures is the result of unique instabilities and the resonance action of satellites. The authors have made decisive contributions to research into collisional, collective and resonance phenomena in planetary rings. They correctly predicted the existence of unknown Uranian satellites prior to the Voyager 2 fly-by. The combination of a high quality description, interesting illustrations and a fascinating and natural presentation will make this book of great interest to a broad readership, including astronomers, physicists, mathematicians, students and amateur astronomers. Physics of Planetary Rings describes striking structures in the planetary rings of Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter and Neptune. In Saturn, the rings are stratified into thousands of ringlets united in a complex hierarchical structure with spiral waves and gaps; in Uranus, they are compressed into narrow streams; and in Neptune, one observes a chain of clumps. This abundance of dynamical structures is the result of unique instabilities and the resonance action of satellites. The authors have made decisive contributions to research into collisional, collective and resonance phenomena in planetary rings. They correctly predicted the existence of unknown Uranian satellites prior to the Voyager 2 fly-by. The combination of a high quality description, interesting illustrations and a fascinating and natural presentation will make this book of great interest to a broad readership, including astronomers, physicists, mathematicians, students and amateur astronomers. Front Matter....Pages I-XXI Introduction....Pages 1-20 Observational Data....Pages 21-57 Celestial Mechanics Minimum....Pages 59-79 Elementary Particle Dynamics I Rigid Body Collisions....Pages 81-94 Elementary Particle Dynamics II Ring Cosmogony....Pages 95-114 Elementary Particle Dynamics III Wave, Photometric, and Other Effects....Pages 115-130 Collective Dynamics of Disc Particles I Formalism....Pages 131-152 Collective Dynamics of Disc Particles II Stability Analysis....Pages 153-187 Resonance Effects in Planetary Rings I Spiral Waves....Pages 189-198 Resonance Effects in Planetary Rings II Narrow Ringlets and Satellites....Pages 199-211 Formation and Stability of the Uranian Rings....Pages 213-252 Origin, Dynamics, and Stability of the Neptunian Rings....Pages 253-284 Self-organisation of the Solar System....Pages 285-295 Space Studies of the Outer Planets....Pages 297-312 Conclusion....Pages 313-313 Back Matter....Pages 315-437 Physics of Planetary Rings describes striking structures of the planetary rings of Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, and Neptune: Narrow ringlets, spiral waves, and a chain of clumps. The author has contributed essential ideas to the full understanding of planetary rings via the stability analysis of dynamical systems. The combination of a high-quality description, the set of interesting illustrations, as well as the fascinating and natural presentation will make this book of considerable interest to astronomers, physicists, and mathematicians as well as students. There is no competing text for this book so far. Introduction Observational Data Celestial Mechanics Minimum Elementary Particle Dynamics: Rigid Body Collisions; Ring Cosmogony; Wave, Photometric, and Other Effects Collective Dynamics of Disc. Particles: Formalism; Stability Analysis Resonance Effects in Planetary Rings: Spiral Waves; Narrow Ringlets and and Satellites Formation and Stability of the Uranian Rings Origin, Dynamics, and Stability of the Neptunian Rings Self-organisation of the Solar System Space Studies of the Outer Planets Conclusion Appendices References Index.

This monograph presents the first comprehensive and detailed explanation for the planetary rings of Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, and Neptune, exploring their striking, recently discovered structures such as narrow ringlets, spiral waves, and chain of vortices. This authoritative book is written in an accessible and engrossing style and is supplemented with an array of informative illustrations that will be of interest to professional and amateur astronomers, physicists, and students.